Ebola Awareness Campaign Reaches Schools in Bunia

Schoolchildren in Bunia have received lessons on Ebola transmission as health officials and international partners respond to infections reported at educational institutions.

Health ministry, UNICEF and Africa CDC teams have taken Ebola prevention activities to schools in Bunia, where children are being taught about how the virus spreads and the risks associated with infection.

The teams visited educational institutions in the Ituri province city on Friday. Ebola cases had been recorded at schools since classes resumed in September, according to the report.

Schools among affected institutions

Francine Nabintu, a member of the health ministry’s Risk and Community Engagement team, said about 40 schools had reported Ebola virus disease cases. She added that a teacher at one of the affected schools had died from the disease.

“That is why we’re here, we must see how we can further raise awareness,” Nabintu said, explaining the purpose of the school visits.

The awareness sessions gave pupils an opportunity to engage with the teams. César Muhila said the children asked questions during one of the sessions.

“They asked questions. I think this awareness campaign will help ensure that our school remains unaffected by this epidemic,” Muhila said.

Children face heightened risks

The campaign comes as the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to affect children and communities. Six months after the latest outbreak was declared, the disease remained out of control and containment efforts were faltering, the report said.

Reported cases had surpassed 11,000, while deaths had exceeded 5,400. Most children affected by Ebola had not received specialised care, a situation linked in the report to high death rates.

Experts said children are particularly vulnerable to the virus, especially those with pre-existing conditions such as malnutrition.

UNICEF reported that children represented 35 per cent of deaths recorded through 4 November. Children under five accounted for 21 per cent of all deaths, while nearly 72 per cent of infected children in that age group had died.

The school-based activities are intended to strengthen awareness among pupils and school communities in Bunia as health teams continue their response.